How Does a Plasma Cutter Work

Written By Chouhab on samedi 24 janvier 2009 | 09:34

By Jeffrey Lewis

Industry apparatus are mostly built of steel and other such metals. Obviously such metals are made after a lot of cutting, fusing and welding. Plasma cutting is the methods used for cutting such metals. The process uses a noble gas or an inert gas and compressed air beyond a particular value. This high pressure air blowing from the nozzle is directed towards the metal surface in question. At the same time, an electric arc is being built up between the metal surface and the inert gas nozzle. This causes the gas in the interim zone to convert to plasma. Plasma is very hot and hence it easily melts the metal. At the same time, it is also very fast and hence drives the molten metal away with ease.

Plasma can be harmful. We are talking of high temperatures here. So its always better to be protected. You should shelter yourself sufficiently. This can include welding gloves, welding helmets and welding masks. Gloves and helmets area great counterfoil against the heat and plasma and the welding mask can save you from harm that might result from poisonous build-up. Often, the reaction of plasma and metal creates marginally poisonous mixture. Continuously inhaling such things can cause harm to the respiratory tracts in a long run. This is how protective clothing becomes so important during welding.

Oxy-acetylene welding is another welding process that has got quite some value. It uses a fuel and oxygen as source particles. Oxy-acetylene welding is not discussed in industrial quarters much but they are perfect tools for cutting tubes and pipes. Apart from iron welding, it can also be used for brazing, and metal heating. Oxy-acetylene welding binds two metals by connecting them through the molten pool which the metals share at the center. It has two tanks; oxygen and a fuel tank. It makes the work of cutting and welding quite feasible.

Oxy-acetylene flame is frequently used in the glass-cutting and jewelry making industry. Apart from this, it is also used for artifact, sculpture and stone works. The flames have a couple of regulators and use two hoses. These hoses are quite flexible. It uses acetylene as the chief fuel. The fuel is packed in specifically designed cylinders and is bound by some porous material.

TIG welding or Tungsten Inert Gas welding is a highly effective process. It also creates an electric art between the welded object and tungsten. The tungsten on offer is non-consumable. Tungsten is protected from oxidizing rapidly by the presence of an inert gas. Argon is the most popular choice in TIG welding. It is considered great as it does not create slag which is so detrimental for the flux. Welding heat produced by TIG welding creates a constricted heat zone which guards against cracking and distortion of welded metal. Torch body for TIG welding is quite small. This replicates a pencil and hence it is easy to be used and can let you weld precisely.

MIG welding or Metal Inert Gas welding uses a consumable metal electrode. The process also involves a lot of spatter and slag creation. This disturbs the view of the operator and also introduces lot of unnecessary welding heat in the flux. Wire resulting after cool off in case of MIG welding is tougher than TIG welding and hence it is harder to be hammered.

Brands like Thermadyne, Hypertherm, Lincoln Electric, Esab and Miller are doing great plasma work. Miller Spectrum 625 plasma cutter uses wind funnel method that prevents any possible harm to the inner parts caused due to abrasive dust. The volt drops are lessened and ampere count is minimized too for similar cutting range. The machines can also be extended for a larger work area. Miller machines are good for fabrication, maintenance, auto body and prototyping.

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